« Individual lists: BEST ALBUMS OF 2007, RANDALL MONTY | Main | Numerology: Number 37? Have a Look... »
December 20, 2007
Interview: Romy Hoffman, MC, Macromantics
Romy Hoffman is hip-hop act Macromantics (which includes DJ Amy), a wordsmith from Australia with an unique flow. Her debut album Moments in Movement was released by Kill Rock Stars at the beginning of 2007. Her re-interpretation of "Darkside of Dallas", a song created by fellow Aussie band Ground Components, made it to our top 50 tracks of 2007. Via e-mail, Hoffman discusses why hip-hop is alive, why YouTube is frightening, and why being an MC is like being a doctor. More questions and some A/V after the jump.
You have an unique flow. How did you develop your "voice" and do you find it's something that requires experimentation or practice, or would you describe it as preternatural?
I guess my voice developed itself. It is preternatural in that I was given this voice, I had no say in how I wanted it to sound, but that said, i control things such as flow and delivery and content. My voice, in terms of what I'm saying and how I'm saying it, will continue to morph and evolve. I think I've gained a lot more confidence on the mic both on stage and in the studio. I want to continue to experiment with things such as singing and screaming and flow, so I guess experimentation and practice are integral to me as an artist.
People love two things: Illmatic and declaring, annually, that hip-hop is dead because of the insularity of rap radio or the depravity or banality of high-selling hip-hop acts. I'm going to be contrarian; why is hip-hop alive?
Hip hop is alive because once you create energy, which hip hop certainly has and is, you cannot completely kill it. It cannot die, and that's a prime law of physics. I see some of the mainstream, more current club music as pop more than I see it as hip hop. Hip hop is about the 4 elements. I don't think something like crunk pertains to keeping the 4 elements alive. It is definitely an evolution of rap music, but it is not hip hop. That's not to say it's bad, because I really love a lot of that stuff, and I think it's sonically done something really interesting to music... But, hip hop is alive because it's saving lives and gives people a voice and a medium to express their views. Hip hop is alive because people and humanity are alive.
How did "Dark Side of Dallas" come about? Did you envision it from the start as having multiple parts?
I did a verse on another Ground Components (the band whom I collaborate on "Darkside" with) song called "Coming in from all angles". It was only fair, being the just and bratty person I am, to make them return the favour! I heard them perform their version of "Darkside of Dallas" live, and I knew I had to have it for myself. I got the instrumental off them and Tony, my producer, and I rearranged the song into a more concise version. We made the drums sound a bit less rock and more hip-hop, and then I wrote my parts. I think it's one of my favourite songs on the album.
Are you always brainstorming lyrics (i.e. constantly toting a notebook) or do only focus on your lyrics during specific, set-aside times?
I never stop writing. I see my work as a form of journalism, so I feel it is my duty to constantly be documenting things. When the time comes to write a song and an album, I have the arduous task of editing all my work. For my next record, which I'm working on now, I have to edit 8 books which are full of all sorts of writing. It is not exactly a fun process, editing. I love just writing and writing and jotting away and rambling on, but then I have to cut and paste, and go to work on my patient. It's similar to being a doctor really!
Macromantics - Physical
Judging from the comments on ABC's Triple J - people are either very enthusiastic or dismissive of you, the latter talking about "proper representation of the Australia hip-hop scene." At what point do you consider yourself an Australian MC - and does that even matter anymore in a global community?
I am a writer, first and foremost. Then I consider myself an MC. I do not consider myself a female rapper, any more than I consider myself an Australian rapper. I feel like I represent a zillion things, and there's no need to state them all, it's obvious. Therefore I don't need to say I'm a conscious rapper or a comic rapper or a depressed rapper, because I am all those things and so much more. And, I do see my music as being global and universal, indeed. That is very important to me that I reach as many people from as many places that I possibly can.
Follow-up: Where do negative comments on a blog rank in your hierarchy of worthwhile criticism?
Everyone's got a blog these days, which is a good thing, it's the same thing as having a journal or diary, except it's a bit more flashy and opinionated and doesn't really show any sign of emotion or feeling. I no longer feel hurt or offended when I read negative criticism about my work. There are inevitably going to be lovers and haters. Some
blogs are more worthwhile than others, but again, it's simply an opinion which I do not let get to me.
(Unavoidable post-Napster question) - Is the net-result of the MP3 blog culture beneficial for the artist?
Yes, it can be. It can also damage an artist. I really think it's important that if someone downloads an album and it blows their mind, that they go out and buy it. All the mediocrity should be free, but the substantial stuff should be paid for. I think there'll come a time when people miss having a physical form of the music in their hands
while they listen to it. They'll miss seeing the artwork and having all their records filed on a shelf. They'll see how downloading effects social space too...
Follow-up: As someone, according to Cadence Weapon), who grew up following underground MCs (a much more complicated task in the 80s-90s then today), how do you feel about music fandom in today's digital world - where one can amass an entire music collection in as long as it takes to transfer to an iPod?
I feel uneasy about YouTube, honestly. I feel like I should be asked permission by someone wanting to put up some horrible quality video of a performance I did, before they go ahead and do it. If downloading music has effected music sales, whose to say something like watching shows on you tube might not affect concert attendences? most of the videos on there are dismal in sound and image quality. I feel like musicians should have to give their consent on this.
What should we expect from you in 2008? And do you have any new plans to tour N. America?
Expect a new album from me in 2008. I will be back in America when that's done, for sure. I miss you guys!
Posted by Keith O'Brien at December 20, 2007 11:04 AM
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.merryswankster.com/movabletype/mt-tb.cgi/1350
